What we do

An internationally recognized research library, the Folger offers advanced scholarly programs in the humanities. We are an innovator in the preservation of rare materials, and major new digital initiatives support our leadership role in digital humanities (DH) research.

The Folger is a national leader in how Shakespeare is taught in grades K–12. We produce publications and resources—in print and online—to support teachers, students, and lifelong learners interested in Shakespeare’s plays and the world that shaped them, including the Folger Editions, which are the number one Shakespeare text used in American classrooms today. We publish Shakespeare Quarterly, the premiere journal for Shakespeare scholarship, as well as the award-winning Folger Magazine. Our wide variety of cultural and arts programs include theater, music, poetry, exhibitions, lectures, screenings, and family programs.

By promoting understanding of Shakespeare and his world, the Folger reminds us of the enduring influence of his works, the formative effects of the Renaissance on our own time, and the power of the written and spoken word.